Dizziness or lightheadedness is typically a temporary condition that does not require treatment or concern. Still, the pause it causes in a person’s daily routine sometimes results in his wanting it to go away as soon as possible. Generally, though, dizziness is not a cause for alarm unless it refuses to go away, is severe, or comes with other symptoms, such as fainting or an irregular heartbeat. On the other hand, though, dizziness can result in falls or other injuries, so part of the concern would be to make sure you keep yourself from injury.

A dizzy spell usually comes with the following symptoms: a loss of balance, a feeling of lightheadedness or fainting, weakness, spinning of head or the surroundings, a blurring of vision, and nausea. Dizziness actually covers over a range of ailments, including vertigo, disequilibrium, and presyncope.

Vertigo is a state in which the individual experiences a sensation of spinning. This is often accompanied by vomiting and nausea. Typical causes of vertigo are vestibular migraine, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, and vestibular neuritis. Of course, when a person consumes too much alcoholic drinks, it may also result in symptoms similar to vertigo.

On the other hand, disequilibrium is a state in which the person feels off-balance, while presyncope happens when the individual experiences lightheadedness along with muscular weakness. This is generally a cardiovascular condition and does not come from the inner ear or central nervous system, and may be a symptom of orthostatic hypotension, a condition that causes a sudden drop in blood pressure when a person suddenly stands.

What can you do when you are feeling dizzy?

1. First, consider lying down for one to two minutes, as this lets more blood flow to the brain. From a lying down position, try sitting up slowly and stay in the position for another couple of minutes before you try to stand up.

2. If the cause is low blood sugar, you can ease dizziness by consuming non-carbonated syrups. Other choices of fluids that are helpful for raising blood sugar levels include coconut water, fruit juices, and fresh lime water with sugar.

3. Get enough rest. Lightheadedness is not unusual during bouts of viral illnesses, such as the flu or the cold. When you get enough rest, you are preventing dizzy spells.

4. Avoid driving or operating equipment, or climbing a ladder. This is to ensure that you do not have unnecessary injuries caused by accidents during a dizzy spell.

5. Avoid using substances that may affect blood circulation. This includes tobacco, caffeine, and alcohol, as well as illegal drugs. Salty nuts and sweet treats should also be avoided as the symptoms are under observation.

6. Make sure you are not dehydrated. Dehydration can cause or worsen lightheadedness, so be watchful when you have a condition that comes with vomiting, diarrhea, or fever. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, particularly water. You can also take fruit juice diluted with water, weak tea with sugar, rehydration drinks, clear broth, or gelatine desserts. However, if you have a different medical issue, such as kidney or heart problems, that require you to limit your fluid intake, be sure to consult your doctor.

7. For cases of vertigo, wherein the room seems to be spinning, avoid lying flat on your back. Be sure to prop yourself up with a pillow or two to relieve the sensation of spinning. Also, be sure to move more slowly than usual to prevent the possibility of falling over.

8. Be sure to reduce stress levels and to establish regular sleep patterns, as these are also known to trigger dizzy spells.

While these home remedies may help greatly in easing dizziness, be sure you are aware of what symptoms to be alert for. For example, if the nausea or episodes of vomiting come up or increases in intensity and frequency, be sure to take note. If moderate or severe dehydration occurs, or you faint, or the symptoms do not get any better after one week, or if they seem to get worse or more frequent, be sure to consult your doctor. In this case, there may be an underlying condition causing the dizziness, so having your doctor diagnose the disorder that may be associated with it is crucial.